Da Nang continues to strengthen its presence on the international tourism map as Lonely Planet, one of the world’s leading travel guide publishers, has included the city among its 10 best destinations for the holiday period between Christmas and New Year 2026. Combining urban beaches, mountainous landscapes, cultural heritage, local cuisine and world-class resorts, Da Nang is presented as an appealing destination where travelers can enjoy the final days of the year in their own way.
Lonely Planet recently published an article titled “10 Best Places to Travel Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve”, highlighting destinations ideal for relaxation, exploration and recharging before welcoming the new year.
The list features a diverse selection of destinations worldwide, including French Polynesia; Montreux, Switzerland; Cleveland, USA; Da Nang, Vietnam; Leadville, USA; Salzburg, Austria; Newport Beach, USA; Victoria, Canada; Dunedin, New Zealand; and Dollywood and Pigeon Forge, USA.
From tropical islands and coastal cities to snow-covered towns, artistic spaces and festive destinations, Lonely Planet offers inspiration for travelers looking to make the most of the year-end holiday season, whether discovering somewhere new or taking a well-deserved break after a busy year.
Da Nang stands out as the only destination from Vietnam and the only Asian destination featured on the list. Appearing as the fourth entry, the city is highlighted for its laid-back urban beaches and convenient access to UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Da Nang – From Urban Beaches to Heritage Discoveries
In its introduction, Lonely Planet describes Da Nang as a city blessed with mountains, long stretches of beach, fresh seafood and a relaxed atmosphere. Located approximately halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is recommended as an ideal destination for a beach holiday while also offering convenient access to three UNESCO World Heritage sites.
This appeal is reflected in the city’s diverse range of experiences. Travelers can spend a day exploring the distinctive architecture of Sun World Ba Na Hills, immerse themselves in the natural surroundings of Son Tra Peninsula, unwind along My Khe Beach, or continue their journey to Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary and the Complex of Hue Monuments.
Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary are two UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites located within Da Nang, while the Complex of Hue Monuments is situated in Hue City. The opportunity to discover these remarkable heritage sites within a single journey gives Da Nang a distinctive advantage, appealing to international visitors seeking cultural exploration, historical discoveries and authentic local experiences.
Attractions Recommended by Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet places Sun World Ba Na Hills at the forefront of its recommended experiences in Da Nang, describing it as the city’s top attraction. The travel guide particularly highlights the destination’s creative interpretations of European-inspired architecture, which provide a distinctive setting for sightseeing, entertainment and memorable experiences.
From Ba Na Hills, travelers can continue to Son Tra Peninsula, known for its forested mountains overlooking the sea and Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the 67-meter-tall Lady Buddha statue. Lonely Planet recommends the peninsula as a place where visitors can appreciate Da Nang’s natural beauty alongside its cultural and spiritual heritage.
Beyond its mountainous landscapes, Lonely Planet also draws attention to Da Nang’s nearly 10-kilometer stretch of urban coastline, particularly My Khe Beach. Cafés, restaurants and visitor amenities along the beachfront make it easy to embrace the city’s coastal lifestyle, whether enjoying a leisurely walk, taking in the scenery or sampling local specialties.
The combination of natural landscapes, iconic attractions and vibrant urban beaches allows visitors to create flexible itineraries that balance exploration, entertainment and relaxation during the year-end holiday season.
Discover Local Cuisine and Enjoy Distinctive Resort Experiences
Beyond sightseeing, Lonely Planet also offers specific recommendations for Da Nang’s local cuisine, recognizing food as an essential part of discovering the city.
A day in Da Nang might begin with a warm bowl of Mi Quang, a traditional noodle dish featuring rice noodles, a richly flavored broth, shrimp, pork and quail eggs. Lonely Planet mentions a local eatery at 75 Chau Thi Vinh Te Street, where the Mi Quang recipe is said to originate from Phu Chiem Village. Travelers are also encouraged to try crispy Vietnamese pancakes filled with shrimp and pork at Banh Xeo Ba Duong or enjoy fresh seafood at Be Man Restaurant.
These local specialties offer a deeper appreciation of Central Vietnam’s culinary culture, where traditional flavors and everyday local life become memorable parts of the travel experience.
For accommodation, Lonely Planet highlights two properties offering contrasting experiences. Novotel Danang Premier Han River stands out for its riverside location, with its 37-story building offering views of the city’s bridges and urban landscape. Meanwhile, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort on Son Tra Peninsula provides a secluded retreat surrounded by nature, featuring a private beach and lush forest scenery.
From a morning bowl of Mi Quang and a day exploring Ba Na Hills to relaxing moments by the beach or watching the city light up along the Han River, Da Nang offers countless ways to enjoy the year-end holiday season, catering to different travel styles, interests and preferences.
Building on Da Nang’s Growing International Recognition
Da Nang’s inclusion among Lonely Planet’s 10 recommended destinations for the holiday period between Christmas and New Year adds another positive milestone to the city’s tourism brand, particularly as it continues to feature in international travel rankings, publications and trends looking ahead to 2027.
Previously, Lonely Planet selected Da Nang for its Best in Travel 2027, featuring the city among 50 destinations and experiences worth discovering worldwide. The publication highlighted Da Nang’s urban beaches, Son Tra Peninsula, local cuisine and convenient connections to UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Notably, Skyscanner also included Da Nang in its Top 10 Trending Destinations for 2027 in the UK market. Ranking seventh, the city recorded a 68% year-on-year increase in searches for return flights, making it the only representative of Vietnam and Southeast Asia on the list.
In addition, online travel platform Priceline named Da Nang among its “Top 10 Places to Travel in 2027”, highlighting experiences such as visiting the Golden Bridge, relaxing at My Khe Beach and exploring the Marble Mountains.
These consecutive recognitions from leading international travel brands are helping enhance Da Nang’s visibility in the global tourism market. Beyond reaffirming the appeal of the city’s distinctive tourism offerings, its presence on international destination lists creates further opportunities to reach travelers seeking inspiration for their year-end holidays in 2026 and travel plans for 2027.
Year-End Festival Season 2026 – More Reasons to Visit Da Nang
Alongside Lonely Planet’s recommendations, Da Nang is preparing a diverse program of cultural events, artistic performances, culinary experiences and festivals for the year-end travel season. Highlights include the Hoi An International Lantern Festival, Christmas celebrations, festive Christmas markets, and a variety of experiences and special offers for accommodation, dining, entertainment and relaxation from tourism businesses, hotels and resorts across the city.
A major highlight will be the Da Nang New Year Festival 2027, taking place from December 30, 2026, to January 3, 2027, along Bach Dang Walking Street, the landscaped areas on both sides of the Dragon Bridge, and various locations in Hoi An, Tam Ky and other parts of the city.
The festival promises a vibrant atmosphere with a wide range of activities. Visitors can immerse themselves in the festive setting of “Da Nang Welcomes the New Year with the World”, discover local cuisine, capture memorable moments at New Year-themed decorative spaces, take part in wish-making activities, join the “Light Up the Han River” running event and enjoy artistic performances. One of the key highlights will be the “Da Nang – Touching the Midnight Moment” program, creating memorable moments as residents and visitors welcome 2027 together.
Alongside these festive activities, Da Nang’s international air connectivity continues to expand during the final months of 2026, making it increasingly convenient for international travelers to choose the city for their Christmas and New Year holidays.
With its diverse tourism services, exciting calendar of events and growing international recognition from prestigious travel brands, Da Nang is expected to remain an attractive destination for Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027. These developments also contribute to promoting the image of a dynamic, experience-rich city that offers something new to discover on every journey.
Da Nang – A destination to enjoy the final days of the year and begin a new journey of discovery in 2027.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
Source: Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/where-to-go-between-christmas-and-new-year
